Windy, cooler fall weather welcomes South Dakota pheasant opener. So, how did the season start?
Oct. 16—MITCHELL — Michael Mckechnie loves seeing all of the blaze orange.
The Greeley, Colorado, resident trekked through the fields of South Dakota on Saturday to enjoy the state's annual October tradition. Pheasant hunting season is here.
Mckechnie was seeking roosters northwest of Mitchell on private land with a group of about 15 other hunters. By the end of the day, he shot his first pheasant.
"Seeing them blow up that close to you, out of the grass is exhilarating," he said while taking a break in the field. "My heart was racing for sure."
The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department told the Mitchell Republic that hunters across the state are reporting "excellent bird numbers with many commenting how numbers are up from the previous few years."
Field conditions are varying across the state, GFP said, with the amount of corn still in the ground making for tough hunting especially in the Webster and Redfield areas. Dry conditions are also making hunting a bit more difficult as well, especially in the Winner and Webster areas as well as most of southeast South Dakota.
According to the National Agricultural Statistic Service, the statewide corn harvest was at 28 percent as of Tuesday, Oct. 11. That's near 31 percent from last year but well ahead of the long-term average of 18 percent by this time.
The U.S. Drought monitor also shows nearly all of South Dakota holding drought status, while most of southeastern South Dakota under severe or extreme drought. Most of the state's seasonal ponds are completely dry.
Opening weekend had breezy weather as well, with Sunday a bit cooler than opening day. Mckechnie said it was the opportunity to hunt pheasants in South Dakota that brought him here to kick off the season in what he called the "mecca" for one day only.
"Everybody's so excited and there are so many people," he said. "Based off what everybody is saying, there are a lot of birds out here."
GFP said mid-day hunting over the weekend proved to be a bit challenging with more success toward the evening. Officials noted that many late-afternoon and evening hunters were seen on public road right-of-ways.
Conservation officers observed hunters stopping in the middle of the road to exit the vehicle to shoot at pheasants, and GFP wants to remind hunters this is a safety concern for both themselves and individuals traveling the roads including agricultural equipment such as large trucks hauling grain. Hunters are reminded to ensure their vehicles are not blocking a roadway or approaches that could impede travel or pose a safety concern and to make sure they are abiding by all road hunting regulations.
"Overall, all signs are pointing to another extremely successful pheasant season," said GFP Communications Manager Nick Harrington. "The birds are plentiful, hunting conditions will continue to improve as crop harvest continues, and there is an abundance of smiles in the field. Regardless of where they are hitting the fields, hunters are continuing to report South Dakota is the greatest state to pheasant hunt."
The South Dakota pheasant season continues until Jan. 31, 2023, with a daily limit of three rooster pheasants and a possession limit of 15.
